By Obas Esiedesa, Abuja

Former Group Managing Directors of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, have commended the current management of the national oil company led by Mele Kyari for the complete rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery.

The Ex-GMDs noted, after an inspection visit to the facility, that the restreaming of the refinery was a significant achievement.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Dr. Jackson Gaius-Obaseki, who served as GMD from 1999 to 2003, explained that many critics fail to understand the magnitude of work involved.

He described as magical the outcome of the effort to restream the facility built in 1965 into a state-of-the-art plant.

Their visit followed ongoing scepticism and criticism surrounding the revamp of the Port Harcourt Refinery.

He clarified that the restreaming was not a routine Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) but a full rehabilitation that modernized the plant into a state-of-the-art facility by 2024.

“Some of those who criticize do not understand the extent of the work carried out. They mistake it for the usual Turnaround Maintenance. This is a complete rehabilitation—transforming a plant built in 1965 into a modern one in 2024. We appreciate the effort,” Obaseki stated.

On petroleum pricing, he emphasized that petrol pump prices are influenced by crude oil prices and called for public understanding.

He hailed the achievement as a testament to courage and dedication, urging the GCEO, Mr. Mele Kyari, to remain focused on delivering value to Nigerians.

Other former GMDs present at the visit included Chamberlain Oyibo, Funsho Kupolokun, and Andrew Yakubu.